<P> Robert Steven "Bobby" Singer is a fictional character in The CW Television Network's drama / horror television series Supernatural portrayed by Jim Beaver . Named after the show's executive producer, Bobby first appears in the first season finale "Devil's Trap". Although Beaver believed his role would merely be a "one - shot deal", Bobby has become a recurring character on the series, and is one of the characters who has appeared in every season of the show . The character, a "rough but warmhearted" working - class man who hunts supernatural creatures, has evolved over time into a father figure for series protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester . Critics have responded favorably to the character . </P> <P> Salvager and proprietor of Singer Salvage Yard, Bobby Singer was first introduced to the supernatural world when his wife Karen became possessed by a demon . As detailed in the third - season episode "Dream a Little Dream of Me", he was uncertain of how to save her, and instead ended up being forced to kill her . Her death prompted him to dedicate his life to hunting supernatural creatures . The later episode "Death's Door" expanded on this by revealing that Bobby's last conversation with his wife was an argument about his reluctance to have children, also revealing that his father was an abusive man who Bobby shot when he was a child (His mother subsequently telling him that God would punish him for this), Bobby reflecting that his father's example left him afraid of becoming one himself in case he became a parent as bad as his father . </P> <P> Bobby makes his debut in the first season finale "Devil's Trap", and is revealed to be an old friend of the Winchester family . Sam and Dean Winchester seek his help when their father John is kidnapped by demons . From his extensive collection of supernatural - related literature and resources, Bobby shows the brothers how to create a devil's trap--mystical symbols capable of rendering a demon powerless--and later assists in the exorcism of the demonic Meg Masters . After John's death in the second - season premiere, Bobby allows the brothers to stay at his home to rest up and rebuild the recently - crippled Impala . He continues to assist them when they require additional expertise in their hunts, rescuing a demonically - possessed Sam and dealing with a Trickster . In the second - season finale, Bobby helps Dean to locate a missing Sam, but they both watch in horror as he is fatally stabbed in the back . Bobby begs Dean to bury Sam, and is distraught when he learns that Dean has sold his soul to a demon for Sam's resurrection . When the hunters learn of the demon Azazel's plan to open a Devil's Gate--a gateway to Hell--they rush to stop him . The gateway is temporarily opened, releasing hundreds of other demons into the world, before Bobby and Ellen Harvelle close it again . </P> <P> Bobby assists the Winchesters throughout the third season in their war against the recently - escaped demons, starting with helping them defeat the Seven Deadly Sins in the premiere, as well as repairing the Colt so that they can make new bullets for it with the help of the demon Ruby in the episode "Sin City". The Winchesters save Bobby's life when he is put into a coma by a teenager using dreamroot to enter the minds of others, but this results in Bela Talbot--a thief who takes supernatural artifacts that the brothers called for help finding the dreamroot--stealing the Colt while they are unconscious . Bobby helps them track down Lilith--a powerful demon who holds the contract to Dean's deal--the night before his contract runs out . However, they are unable to stop her, and Dean is sent to Hell . </P>

How is bobby related to sam and dean