Csaba Elthes in the 1960's

1960's: From Mr. Robert Blum, the Maestro's longtime attorney, friend and student: "one of the greatest of all United States sabreurs, Alphonso Morales, a Mexican-American from Tucson, a close fencing friend of mine, and one of Csaba's outstanding products. Al was on our Olympic teams in l960, 1964, 1968 and 1972. In our National Championships from 1965 to '68, Al placed second, first, first and third. He was second, academically, in his 1960 class at Annapolis; and he was a world class epeeist and modern pentathlete, as well as sabreur. Oh yes, he not only spoke fluent English and Spanish, but fluent Russian and French as well."

"Csaba had suffered a serious knee injury during his competitive prime, which limited his own ability to fleche. It was this limitation, I suspect, which led him to develop special footwork refinements which he worked hard to teach his best pupils. These included half-steps forward or back, or one-and-a-half steps in, to steal distance or elongate it -- particularly when opposing an adversary whose style led him to study your blade-position, rather than your distance or balance. Both Csaba and Giorgio were firm about what a great competitor was to watch while fencing -- everything! They both taught their pupils to watch all aspects of an opponent always: watch his footwork, watch his small hand-movements, watch his step-length, watch his parry-depth, watch his eyes, watch his rear arm, watch his side-to-side movements -- everything."

1962: Bartholomew, Ben: Csaba was v good to me got me a job at the Bursar's office NYU (thru Hugo C) told me to come to the Fencers Club (E 53 St) or, if I liked, to the NYAC on 59th (Fourth Floor salle)...I was new to all of this NYC way of doing things. So when I chose the NYAC scholarship (thanks to Jack Keane) it caused a little bad blood across town.

But D'Asaro was there and it was the home of the NYAC National Sabre champs ..so

Woliner, Mel: " I started as a freshman at Pace University in 1968, at age nineteen, and fencing through 1971. For the three years I was at the school, he was the official coach. There were no other coaches, or even assistant coaches. Although he gave lessons several times a week, he was not available to attend our meets (this remained a mystery to all of the team members). The Director of the Athletic Department was Peter Finnerty (who has since passed on). Unfortunately, years later, when I wanted to introduce my son to the sport, and bring him to a match at Pace, I was informed by the Athletic Department secretary that the school discontinued the sport (I suspect due to budgetary concerns)." "at the very least, it would be safe to say that he began in the Fall of 1967, if not earlier, and coached until at least 1971, if not later."

"I enrolled in Pace University in the fall of 1968 and found out that the entire fencing team had graduated with the exception of one foil fencer, Lenny.

Little did I know of true discipline before I met Csaba Elthes. He was tall, serious, and had a patrician air about him. Very confident and deliberate in his stride and manner. He had a thick Hungarian accent and used to call me either Mr. Mel or Mr. Sir (pronounced "meestor sore"). He was like a second father to me. Imbued me with discipline to first develop my footwork before touching a blade. During my earliest days at the sport, he had once put me through a gruelling work-out that lasted more than half an hour. My legs were starting to wobble. Because I did not execute certain moves properly, he began to lose patience and his voice rose. I was nineteen and, at one point, got choked up. He stopped the lesson, put his arm over my shoulder and said "Mr. Mel, I like you, you are promising fencer, but without discipline, nothing. Let's try again". I composed myself and finished the lesson with his approval.

I was schooled in foil and epee, and, at one point, was the captain of the foil squad. Competitively, I would get as far as fifth place in an Epee "B" tournament in the Vanderbilt Athletic Club in 1972. I have not competed since. However, I have the "fencing sickness" as one Russian coach said to me. It's always thinking of the sport. I can't help by feel that his lessons and discipline would also help me get through another trial, that of September 11, 2001, when I was only hundreds of feet from Ground Zero. Maestro Elthes always taught me to think first and then act.

There was also a very humourous side to Maestro Elthes, too. My fencing buddies and I were listening to a story one day in which he said, with a broad grin, that he knew Zsa Zsa Gabor. He also spoke about how he never had to worry if he were challenged to a duel (prior to World War 11), by a husband, as he had mastered the saber and, consequently, never lost a bout in a duel of honor.

To this day, I say the phrase "Mr. Sir" in a mock Hungarian accent. My family and friends like my imitation. It's my way of keeping his memory alive.

It was an honor, privilege and pleasure to know Maestro Elthes. I am a better person for having known him."