bablitch was born in stevens point, wisconsin and graduated from pacelli high school in 1959. he studied at the university of wisconsin–stevens point and received a bachelor's degree from the university of wisconsin–madison in 1963. he served in the peace corps for two years before earning a law degree from the university of wisconsin law school in 1968 and a master of laws degree in the appellate process from the university of virginia school of law in 1987. bablitch was married to wisconsin court of appeals judge martha bablitch. they divorced in 1978.