In 1956, political turmoil in Hungary caused him to leave his wife and two daughters and flee to the west via the Brücke von Andau.
Determining that he would not be able to find work as a lawyer in the United States, he decided that fencing might be a good way to make a living.
Investigating the competitions of the time, he realized that while American foil fencing was already at a fairly high level (he cited Olympians Albie Axelrod and Daniel Bukantz in particular), there were opportunities in sabre and epee, and he quickly found employment at the salle of maestro Giorgio Santelli in New York City.
The Hungarian school of instruction practiced by Elthes was famed for discipline, sarcasm, and competitiveness, but always making it clear that there was respect between teacher and student (as exemplified by Elthes frequently calling students "Mr. Sir" (pronounced "Meester Sore" due to his heavy Hungarian accent), which tended to create fierce loyalty.
Former student and longtime friend of Elthes, Olympian Robert Blum noted "Occasional verbal insults were received as gratuities!"
Peter Westbrook quit working with Elthes after three months in 1972, unwilling to tolerate the maestro's teaching style.
In 1981, his student Michael Lofton becomes US Junior Olympic sabre champion, beginning a career as one of the United States' top fencers.
Among Elthes' students are US Olympic competitors Westbrook, George Worth, Robert Blum, Allan Kwartler, Marty Lang, Paul Apostol,[4] Mika'il Sankofa (formerly Michael Lofton), and Steve Mormando, as well as Olympic fencing referee and Maccabiah Games medalist Russell Wilson.