asleson was born in new ulm, minnesota, to raymond asleson and florence elvina anderson. three of his four grandparents were norwegian emigrants. he attended the university of minnesota, receiving a bachelor's degree followed by a master's degree in industrial engineering in 1958. in 1961, he received a law degree from george washington university law school. he also served in the navy rotc during college and was on active duty from 1958–61.