It can be tough to remove through hole ICs from boards without causing any damage. I'm using a desoldering iron, so if you don't have one, you will need something to remove solder. (Braid, manual pump, etc.) These usually leave some solder behind on double sided boards making it very hard to get chips out without causing damage.
I use a combination of removing as much solder as I can from the bottom and hot air on the top to get the chips out without causing any damage.
