After attending public schools and the University of Illinois Lab School in his home town, Bailar attended the University of Colorado. Following his graduation in 1955, he served in the U.S. Navy as a Supply Officer before entering the Harvard Business School.
Bailar attended public schools and the University of Illinois Lab School in his home town before proceeding to study at the University of Colorado. After graduating from there in 1955, he served as a Supply Officer in the U.S. Navy and then entered Harvard Business School.