He returned home, sold everything, and has been travelling nine months a year ever since, he told the Mail.
"I only go back to Louisiana to see my family," Mr Passman said.
"I love so many countries - but all for different reasons.
"Nepal and New Zealand are just breathtaking but, my go-to country, where I can not stop returning to is Guatemala, and I've been there 20 times since my first visit in 2010. They have 'eternal spring' and the people are amazing."