Ben Bergwerf

Isle of Palms – Ben Bergwerf passed away peacefully following a long battle with multiple medical issues. Ben was born in the Netherlands with the family name Alewyn A. Maan-Voogd-Bergwerf, he chose to move through life as Ben Bergwerf.

Ben enjoyed a remarkable career in judo and traditional jujutsu. He reigned for years as Dutch and Welsh National judo champion. Later, Ben published a manual for jujutsu that continues to be a popular resource for practitioners of the art. In 2003, the United States Judo Association honored him as a Professor of Jujutsu. In 2023, the Association promoted Ben to 10th-degree jujutsu black belt, the highest rank. His love of martial arts never faltered

After military service in the Royal Netherlands Army, Ben earned a degree from Swansea College in Wales as a mechanical engineer, and after moving to America, earned an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in Illinois. For twenty- two years, Bergwerf directed international research and development for an engineering corporation. After retirement, Ben and his wife Barb moved to South Carolina. He taught combat judo at The Citadel while serving in the South Carolina State Guard for 10 years, where he rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He also was a member of Mensa.

Ben is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barb, and three daughters who reside in Brighton, UK: Kelly Bergwerf and her son Noah Sim; Catherine Bergwerf and her daughter Evie Bergwerf; and Annaliese Bergwerf and her son Oscar Pitkethly.

Those wishing to contribute to his memory are encouraged to support the Charleston Animal Society in North Charleston, SC.

We invite you to share a memory and sign our guest book.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier on May 12, 2026.