Dragutin Rakoš (Štefanje, 1st November 1925 − Vienna, 31st October 2011), professor of astronomy of Croatian origin at the University in Vienna, was appointed corresponding member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in 2000. This appointment was the acknowledgement not only of his scientific contribution to astronomy, but also of his selfless and tireless impetus for and contribution to the development of astronomy and astrophysics in his homeland. It was at his proposal that a study group in astrophysics was launched within the study programme of physics at the Faculty of Science of the University of Zagreb. Without his intervention and efforts, Austrian one-meter telescope would not have been donated and installed on the island of Hvar. He followed the development of astronomy in his homeland with interest and care, trying his best to assist in directing it towards the world trends.